A survey of the hoverflies of northeastern Algeria (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Abstract

A survey of the hoverfly fauna of northeastern Algeria was carried out in 1991 and 1992, and seventy-three species recorded. Four species are new for Algeria: Dasysyrphus albostriatus, Chamaesyrphus lusitanicus, Brachypalpus laphriformis and Spilomyia maroccana. The genera Dasysyrphus, Chamaesyrphus and Brachypalpus are new for Algeria. Data on the distribution and the seasonal pattern of each species are provided. Species richness was found highest amongst wetlands (up to 38) and forested hills (up to 29). In contrast, degraded sites held the lowest numbers of hoverflies. Species such as Episyrphus balteatus, Sphaerophoria scripta, Syritta pipiens and Eristalis tenax were widespread and abundant, whereas others were rare (Platycheirus albimanus) or confined to forested hills, such as the North African endemic Volucella liquida. A good knowledge of the Syrphidae will pave the way to a close monitoring of global changes affecting the region and the conservation of an important but much neglected group in one of the foremost biodiversity hotspots of the Maghreb.

New records, distribution and phenology of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in semi-arid habitats in northeastern Algeria

“…Central and southern Europe, Morocco and Algeria(Dirickx 1994;Van Veen 2010). This species has not been reported in recent inventories in AlgeriaDjellab et al 2013;Haffaressas et al 2017) Larval trophic habits. Aphidophagous(Rojo et al 2003).15.…”

“…The sampling conducted out in our study over a year indicates the presence of 37 species. During the period 1996-2010 and within the same climatic region of Algeria, Djellab et al (2013) reported the presence of 34 species, whereas a total of 73 species were listed under humid climate in the El-Kala region during 1991-1992, and 31species…”

“…Spread across Greenland, Iceland, the Faroes, Fennoscandia, the Mediterranean Basin, most of Europe, Turkey, Russia, Siberia, Philippines and North America (Speight 2017). North Africa, this species was reported only once from Morocco (Dirickx 1994), whereas in Algeria, Djellab et al (2013) recorded P.…”

“…feeding on some species of Psyllidae and Lepidoptera (Rojo et al 2003 (Dirickx 1994;Djellab et al 2013;Haffaressas et al 2017).…”

“…The total data on the hoverfly fauna of Algeria is limited mainly to a few species lists derived from occasional surveys in the 20 th century (Becker 1907;Séguy 1961;Peck 1988;Hurkmans 1993;Djellab and Samraoui 1994). However, there are some recent investigations carried out in humid and semi-arid regions of Algeria (Djellab et al 2013;Haffaressas et al 2017;Djellab et al 2019).…”